Truce in Homs is first step to ceasefire in Syria — Russian Foreign Ministry

December 02, 2015, 21:16 UTC+3"We believe that its implementation will make it possible to finally normalize the situation in this major Syrian city and put an end to the suffering of its people," the ministry said

MOSCOW, December 2 /TASS/. Moscow has welcomed the news on truce in the Syrian city of Homs, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"We believe that its implementation will make it possible to finally normalize the situation in this major Syrian city and put an end to the suffering of its people," the ministry said.

"We think that such steps can prelude the achievement of a comprehensive ceasefire in Syria through the United Nations effective role and create favourable conditions for launching a sustainable negotiating process between the Syrian government and the opposition, including its armed wing, which denounces terrorism," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.

"On December 1, the Syrian army reached an UN-mediated agreement with anti-government armed groups that they would start pulling out their militants from the al-Vayer district in the southeastern outskirt of Homs on December 1," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"The first group of 200-300 people will start leaving the area on Saturday, December 5, on condition that their lives will be guaranteed," the ministry said adding that the militants would also be allowed to keep their personal arms.

"Peaceful civilians will be able to return to the area after the pullout is completed," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"The al-Vayer district was surrounded by the Syrian regular army for a long time. The troops did not try to storm it or deliver massive strikes," the Russian Foreign Ministry explained.